Matrix assembler



Jan. 19, 1932 R. H. TURNER MATRIX ASSEMBLER Filed June 29, 1931 r m ATTOR N EY W a g him ii stares rar r @FFSZQE EAIJSOM ELTTLTBNEl-t, OF AUBURNDALE, NEVT YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INTERTYPE GUR- rolm'rliou, or eeoonmzn, roan, a

MATRIX A Application filed June 29,

The present invention relates to the matrix assembler oftypographical machines of the general-class shown and described in U. S. Letters Patent No. 436,532 granted September 16, 1890 to O. ll Iergenthaler, and the primary object ofthe invention is to provide improved means for delivering matrices in selected order jtothe assembling elevator or channel in whichthe matrices are assembled 10 in aline, and more especially to provide eans for effecting more rapid and smooth delivery of the matrices commonly used for ordinary news print, which matrices are'oi the relatively lighter weight variety and 1 the most frequently used.

fleretofore the matrix assembler in machines of the class referred to has been con structedto deliver the matrices, while lying flatwise on an inclined travelling belt, to a 29 point short of or somewhat removed from the final position where they enter the line in the assembling elevator, and the space'between the point where the matrices leave the (i6? livery belt and the last matrix in the lineiminediatelyin front of the usual star wheel which introduces the matrices into the line, which space is commonly known as the neutral zone, has been occupied by smooth stationary rails or the like over which the matrices pass under the momentum they res ceived from the travelling delivery belt. During the flight of the matrices over these rails, a deflector, overlying them causes the matrices to be diverted from the inclined path P3 of th-e delivery belt to amore vertical path immediately before they arestruck by the revolving star wheel. The deflect/ioirof the matrices during their flight over this s0 called neutral zone, it has been found, causes irregularities in their assembly, for several reasons. The matrices vary in weight and hence act differently when. suddenly deflected,

and their upper and lower ends flip alternate- V ainst the chute rails and the deflector, and asthe matrices settle turherdown toward the entrance of the assembling elevator and are struck by 1 the star wheel, their lower ends are flipped forwardly against the rearmost matrix in the line, and the very light weight matrices often hesitate 4 ly backand forth conroniirron or new YORK ssninntnn 1931. SerialNo. senses.

or lean backwardly While gradually settling to the lowest point of assembly in front of the star wheel, and this results in many cases in transposition of matrices or space bands, a subsequently released or following matrix overriding the one ahead of it or a space band intended to fall behind a certain matrix falling ahead of such matrix due to the leaning backward or hesitation thereof in settling positively in upright position in front of the starwheel. a i

The present invention provides means for overcoming these and other disadvantages in matrix assemblers as heretofore constructed and for improving the delivery of the matrices to the final assembly point in the line. The improved matrix assembling means provided by the present invention moreover is particularly advantageous when used in connection with the modern developments in the operation of line casting machines by'automatic means such as the teletypesetter system,

such automatic means requiring the assembling device to respond with regularity and steadiness and vwithout hesitation in the settling of the matrices or space bands to final upright position and also requiring assembling of the matrices and space bands at relatively higher speeds as compared with the operation of such machines manually by the usual keyboard. i

To accomplish a smooth and steady flow of. the n'iatrices to the assembling point, the matrix delivery belt, according to the present inventiim is eXt-ended to or nearly to the iinal point of assembly in order that the matrices will becoustantly or continuously propolled unner power and at uniform speed directly to the last stage of their flight. It has already been proposed to extend the delivery belt suificiently far to cause the matrises to be controlled under power until they h the point at which they first contact with the rotating star wheel, as disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,502,626 granted July 22, 1924: to Goodbody, but the presentinvention accomplishes a more per-, test matrix delivery by providing a constantly moving belt or matrix transporting surface which underlies the matric-esduring delivery and extends within the circumference of the path of rotation of the blades of the star wheel and causes the matrices to be propelled or brought positively to the final assembling point under control and at a uniform rate and to be guided with great accuracy as they are deflected from the inclined path of the matrix receiving portion of the delivery belt to the more vertical path by which they are received by the star wheel and from which they are stacked in the line by engagement of the blades of the star wheel therewith.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of a matrix assembler constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the star wheel and the matrix transporting belt means cooperative therewith; Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevation of the star wheel and belt means shown in 1 and 2, showing the manner in which the space band chute delivers space bands to the line;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the lower portion of the structure shown in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification of the star wheel and the cooperative matrix transporting belt means.

The matrix assembler shown in the present instance is of the general type commonly used in typographiealmachines of the class shown in the Mergenthaler patent hereinbefore referred to, 1 representing the usual assembling J elevator whichcontains a channel 2 in which the matrices M, from whichthe type bars or slugs are subsequently cast in the well known way, are assembled, 3 and 4 are the upper and lower belt pulleys over which a flat endless belt 5 passes, the upper stretch of this belt being inclined downwardly toward the entranceof-the assembling elevator and lying under the vertical passages 6 which are formed between partitions or guides 7 arranged as usual in the assembler front of the machine, the passages 6 being located beneath the matrix delivery ends of the magazine in which the matrices are stored as usual and from which they are delivered under the control of the well known escapements actuated by the usual keyboard or other means so that the released matrices drop by gravity from the magazine through the vertical passages 6 onto the upper stretch of the belt 5 which is driven continuously in a direction which transports the matrices, while lying flatwise thereon, toward the assembling point. A relatively fixed guide 8 as shown underlying the upper stretch of the belt 5 to support it against sagging. Between the lower belt pulley 4 and the entrance or matrix receiving end of the assembling elevator is interposed the revoluble star wheel 9 which is of bladed form and serves to stackthe matrices in a line in the assembling elevator, the

star wheel being revolved continuously during the operation of the assembler by any suitable driving means such as that commonly used for this purpose, 10 representing the gearing which is usually used to drive the star wheel from the shaft of the lower belt pulley 4, and 11 representing the gearing usually employed for driving the shaft of this belt pulley, the gearing 11 being driven for example by a belt 12 which is connected to a continuously running part of the machine.

According to the form of the present invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the belt 5 which passes around the upper and lower pulleys 3 and 4 is somewhat narrower than that usually employed, and the upper side of the relatively fixed guide 8 is formed with a groove in which the upper stretch of this belt is seated, the guide 8 being of a width equal to or somewhat greater than the front to rear dimension of the matrices and its marginal edges forming rails which will prevent dropping of the matrices from the belt. The star wheel 9, according to this form of the invention, may be substantially of the usual width but its central portion is turned down concentrically of its axis to form a circular hub 13 which lies between and connects the bladed portions at the front and rear ends of the star wheel, and a round roller or belt pulley 14 is mounted to revolve freely on this hub, the diameter of this pulley being less than that of the bladed portions of the star wheel, and the belt 5 is continued or extended beyond the lower pulley 4 and passes around the pulley or roller 14 on the star wheel, so that this same belt which receives the matrices from the assembler entrance serves to transport them to the star wheel, this belt engaging the top and bottom of and being driven by the belt pulley 4 so that its upper stretch moves toward the point of assembly of the matrices. The roller or belt pulley 14 is preferably of such a diameter that the belt 5 engaging it will span the inner portions of the spaces formed in the star wheel between the blades thereof and lie within the circumference of the path of rotation of said blades, as shown in Fig. 4.

Owing'to the position of the star wheel and the small diameter of the pulley or belt receiving portion thereon, the upper stretch of the belt 5 will slope more sharply or more nearly vertically from the lower belt pulley 4 toward the matrix assembling point than the inclined matrix receiving portion of this belt which extends between the upper and lower pulleys 3 and 4, the change in the inclination of these portions of the upper stretch of this belt occurring where it passes over the lower pulley 4, and in order to divert the descending matrices so that they will continue to travel in contact with the more steeply sloping portion of the belt after passing the pulley 4, a matrix deflector is lit) mounted abovethe pulley 4, it comprising in the present'instance a chute plate 16 and a tension spring 17 which holds the heel of the chute plate yieldingly in a position opposite to the belt 5 and immediatelybelow the point of change in the inclinationthereof, it deflecting the descending matrices so that they will remain in contact with the belt 5; In

i order toprevent dropping of the matrices from the portion of the belt which extends between the pulley 4: and the star wheel, the

. relatively fixed guide 8 preferably has its fat longitudinal edges extended toform rails 8 which pass over the pulley l and span the space between said pulley and the star wheel at theopposite sides of the belt. a In this form of the invention, the matrices as they are brought to the assembling point while lying fiatwise on the belt 5 will enter at their lower endsinto the spaces between the blades of the star wheel and will be removedfrom the belt and swung into upright position against the end of theline by the bladesof the starwheelwhich straddle the belt and move forwardlypast the opposite edges there- 9 is somewhat narrower than usual and has 7 a hub 13 projecting coaxially from each side of its bladed portion and a round roller or belt pulley l l is mounted to revolve freely on each of said hubs, and a pair of relatively narrow flatbelts 15 of endless form pass around the pulleys or rollers 14: and around the lower belt pulley 4, these belts engaging the pulley 4 at the opposite sides of the belt 5 and the belts 15 being driven by the belt pulley 4 so that their upper stretches move toward the point ofassembly of the matrices.

These belts 15 are of a width to receive and support the matrices while lying fiatwise thereon, and a relatively fixed filler piece 18 may be inserted in the space between the upper stretches of these belts and between the belt pulley 4 and the star wheel, to prevent dropping of matrices between said belts. In this form of the invention, the blades of the star wheel operate: between the belts 15 and come into engagement with the matrices resting 011 the upper stretches thereof by passing forwardly through the space between the up per stretches of these belts. The rollers or belt pulleys 14" are preferably of such di ameter that the belts 15 engaging them will T span the inner portions of the'spaces between the blades of the star wheel and will lie within the circumference of the path of rotation of such blades, so that as the matrices are carried over the star wheel by the belts 15' their forward or lower ends will enter the spacesbetween the star wheel blades and the matrices will be removed from these belts and swung into upright position against the end of the line by the blades of the star wheel which move forwardly between and past the f:

upper stretches of these belts. In this form of the invention, the chute plate 16 would be located ina position opposite to the junction of the belts 5 and 15 above the lower belt pulley 4 and immediately below the point where the belts 15 slope more steeply from the belt 5*. A relatively fixed guide 8" may be employed for supporting the upper stretch of the belt 5 from sa ging betweenthe upper and lower, belt pulleys, this guide as shown being similar to the guide 8 previously described except that it terminates immedi ately above the lower belt pulley 4, the pair of belts 15 effectively guiding and supporting the matrices while travelling from the lower belt pulley to the star wheel.

The space bands maybe delivered to the matrix line from the usual space band box 19 and space band delivery chute 20, the latter being positioned as usual imniediatel in advance of the center of the star wheel so that the space bands S will drop into a position 1n front of the star wheel.

In operation, assuming that the matrix delivery belt 5 or 5 and the star wheel are driven continuously and that the upper stretch of said belt is moving toward the star wheel and the blades at the upper side of the star wheel are moving toward the entrance of the assembling elevator, the matrices released i from the magazine and dropping through the vertical passages 6 of the assembler entrance are received by the upper stretch of the belt 5 or 5 so that the matrices lie iiatwise thereon and their lower edges are at the forward or leading ends of the matrices. Thei natrices will be thus transported by thebelt 5. or 5* to the lower belt. pulley l where they diverted to a steeper angle ofdescent by the matrix deflecting member 16, and the matrices are then transported and propelled by the extension of the belt 5 in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive or by the belts 15 in Fig. 5 to the star wheel over which they are carried by such belt or belts since the portion or portions thereof which extend aroundthe hub of the star wheel stand above thebottoms of the spaces or recesses between the blades of the star wheel and the matrices will be oositivel deposited on the rails in the channel of the assembling elevator, on which the lower ends of the matrices come to rest, and when each matrix has SQtblGtl-lH JOSUClI position, it will be struck atapoint above its lower edge," substantiallyxabout midway of its height, by a blade of the star wheel which thereby swings the matrix into upright position in the assembling elevator and against the next preceding matrix therein. Space bands dropping through the space band chute 20 will drop onto the portion of the extension of the travelling belt 5 which passes around the star wheel or upon the portions of the travelling belts 15 which pass around the star wheel and will be instantly deflected into the line by the travelling belt or belts and by the star wheel blades. The transporting of the matrices to thestar wheel and the introduction of the matrices and the space hands into the line, in the manner described, is especially adapted to rapid assembling of uniformly released or descending matrices and space bands as takes place when the machine is operated automatically as by a tele-typesetter which eifects releasing of the matrices and space bands rapidly and in uniformly timed intervals. In each form of the invention shown, the matrices are transported and propelled by power to the star wheel and to the final point of assembly in front thereof, so that the matrices after their reception by the delivery belt, will advance positively and under control of the transporting belt or belts, and will travel smoothly and steadily to the point of assembly and the assembler will be capable of operating at higher speeds than usual. By extending the belt or belts over or around the star wheel so as to span the bottoms of the recesses or spaces between the blades thereof, the impact of the dropping space bands is absorbed by the belt or belts which are usually composed of leather or other relatively soft or yieldable pliable material and onto which the space bands drop, thereby minimizing wear of the star wheel and the space bands.

I claim as my invention 1. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling matrices in a line, a matrix assembler comprising arevoluble bladed assembling member for stacking the matrices in the line, and travelling matrix delivery belt means having a portion extending within the circumference of the path of rotation of the blades of said revoluble member.

2. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling matrices in a line, a matrix assembler comprising a revoluble bladed assembling member for stacking the matrices in the line, upper and lower belt pulleys, and a travelling matrix transporting belt extending continuously between said pulleys and revoluble assembling member and passing around said member within the circumference of the path of rotation of the blades thereof.

3. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling matrices in a line, a matrix assembler comprising a revoluble assembling member for stacking the matrices in the line, upper and lower belt pulleys, and travelling matrix transporting belt means having an inclined portion extending between said pulleys and having another more steeply inclined portion extending from the lower belt pulley and around said revoluble assembling member.

4. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling matrices in a line, a matrix assembler comprising a revoluble bladedassembling member for stacking'the matrices in the line, said member having a belt receiving portion coaxial therewith and within the circumference of the path of rotation of its blades, and travelling belt means cooperative with said belt receiving portion of said revoluble member for transporting matrices thereto.

5. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling matrices in a line, a matrix assembler comprising a revoluble bladed star wheel for stacking the matrices in the line, the star wheel having a coaxial belt receiving portion within the circumference of the path of rotation of its blades. and a matrix transporting belt cooperative with said belt receiving portion of the star wheel and spanning the spaces between the blades thereof.

6. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling matrices in a line. a matrix assembler comprising a revoluble bladed star wheel for stacking'the matrices in the line, the star wheel having a belt pulley arranged between its blades,and a travelling matrix transporting belt cooperative with said belt pulley.

7. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling matrices in a line, a matrix assembler comprising a revoluble bladed star wheel for stacking matrices in the line, the star wheel having belt pulleys at the opposite sides of its blades, and travelling matrix transporting belts cooperative with said belt pulleys.

In testimony whereof my hand.

RANSOM I-I. TURNER.

I have hereunto set 

